Surgery for perforated peptic ulcer in the elderly. Evaluation of factors influencing prognosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The frequency of perforated peptic ulcer is decreasing among the overall population but it is becoming more frequent among old people. The higher mortality rate in the old population, justifies the search of prognostic factors specific for the elderly. Aim of this study is to analyze and define factors influencing surgical prognosis in patients older than 70 years who were operated for perforated peptic ulcer. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of 37 patients was performed: age, sex, ASA status, site of perforation, diameter of perforation, duration of symptoms, MPI score, surgical treatment (suture vs. resection) were studied. All patients were grouped as deceased and not deceased after surgery: a statistical univariate analysis was performed regarding the whole series and regarding the patients 70 years and older. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality rate was 18.92% in the whole series but 41.8% among the elderly. In the whole series age, ASA status, diameter of perforation, duration of symptoms, and MPI score were significantly related to postoperative death. In the patients 70 years and older the duration of symptoms, the size of perforation and the MPI score were significantly related to postoperative death. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of symptoms is a known factor that influences the prognosis after surgery for perforated peptic ulcer. This factor is still the most important in the elderly being responsible of the high mortality rate. The delay in treatment is due to a delayed hospitalization of old patients, who show a low reactivity to the disease.